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  • Dowen College: Late Senator Kashamu’s family reacts over their son involvement in Oromoni’s death

    Dowen College: Late Senator Kashamu’s family reacts over their son involvement in Oromoni’s death

    The family of late Senator Buruji Kashamu has dismissed claims that Adewale Kashamu, son of the deceased Senator, had a hand in the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.

    Oromoni, the 12-year-old student of Dowen College, died a few days ago after he was allegedly attacked by “some senior colleagues”.

    The student was said to have mentioned the late lawmaker’s son alongside four other students before he died.

    But in a statement signed by Mutairu Kashamu, Adewale’s family said he did not beat or bully Oromoni as alleged.

    According to the family, Adewale knew Oromoni in his first session at the college during which he served as his school father as requested by the late boy’s sister, who happens to be a student of the school.

    The family said Adewale’s interaction with Oromoni reduced in the 2021 academic session after he was moved to a different floor in the boarding house.

    The statement said Adewale was not aware of the alleged beating of the deceased that eventually led to his death.

    The family added that their son saw Oromoni earlier in November limping. The statement said Adewale thought that he was injured while playing football and advised him to visit the school’s clinic.

    It also claimed that other students who knew about Oromoni’s leg injury testified that he was injured during a football session with his colleagues.

    The family said its initial delay on the incident was to enable it to conduct a proper check before reacting to the “insults” coming its way since the news of Oromoni’s death broke.

    “Since the news of the unfortunate incident broke, we have made our own private enquiries and carefully questioned our son about his involvement,” the statement read.

    “This is why we did not rush out to respond to the cyber-stalking, name-calling and negative commentaries that have taken over the social media about our son’s alleged involvement in this sad incident.”

    The family enjoined the public to await the outcome of investigations by the Lagos State Government and the police before arriving at a conclusion on what led to Oromoni’s death.

    “We feel and can relate to the pains of the Oromoni family and all those genuinely concerned about this unfortunate incident,” it added.

    “That is why we wish to express our readiness to cooperate with the parents of the deceased, the Police, the Lagos State government and other relevant stakeholders to get to the root of this matter so that the cause of justice will not only be served but manifestly seen to have been served.

    “However, it is regrettable that of the five names that were mentioned in relation to the incident, it is only Kashamu’s name that seems to ring a bell. Consequently, the family and its late patriarch (Senator Buruji Kashamu of blessed memory) have been the butt of irresponsible, falsehood-based and unwarranted attacks even when the full details of the incident are not yet known.

    “There is no denying the fact that Adewale Michael Kashamu is one of the children of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu. But, no family or parent will send a child to school to be involved in any form of crime or criminality; just like no parent would be happy to be informed that a child he or she sent to school to learn has been molested or killed under any guise.

    “That is why we wish to appeal for restraint on all sides. The cyber-bullying of our family will not help in any way to solve the bullying in schools that society through the ages has desired to stop.

    “On our part, we have continued to engage our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, and he has continued to maintain his innocence.”

    The full statement by late Senator Kashamu’s family on the matter reads: “The Kashamu family has been inundated with enquiries, calls and messages over the unfortunate incident at Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, which led to the untimely death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of the College.

    “While we empathize and commiserate with the family of the late Sylvester Oromoni over the irreplaceable loss, we wish to appeal to all and sundry to hold their horses until the Police and the Lagos State government have completed their independent investigations and established the truth.

    “Most commentators have rushed to conclusions based on assumptions and false information, including the allegation that our son Adewale Michael Kashamu was in any way involved in the bullying or beating of Sylvester Oromoni.

    ”Since the news of the unfortunate incident broke, we have made our own private enquiries and carefully questioned our son about his involvement. This is why we did not rush out to respond to the cyber-stalking, name-calling and negative commentaries that have taken over the social media about our son’s alleged involvement in this sad incident.

    ”Some of the true facts now slowly emerging from under the mass of lies are that: Our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, had acted as a school father for the late Sylvester in his first session in the school at the request of Sylvester’s sister who is also a student of the school.

    “However, in the 2021 session commencing in September 2021 Adewale Michael Kashamu was moved to a different floor in the boarding house and engrossed in his own studies and activities, he was no longer as close to Sylvester as in the previous session.

    ”Adewale Michael Kashamu is a compassionate and considerate boy. Sometime last session, some boys had been accused of beating Sylvester with belts and seizing his foodstuff but Adewale Michael Kashamu was not involved at all. He was in fact in sympathy with Sylvester over that incident.

    “On that occasion, Sylvester’s parents made a report to the school and the affected students were questioned and one of them at least was suspended.

    “Adewale Michael Kashamu is not aware that an identical incident occurred again this year leading to Sylvester’s injury and death.

    “Adewale Michael Kashamu had seen Sylvester limping sometime late in November and (assuming he might have been injured playing football) merely empathized with him and advised him to go to the school clinic.

    ”Other students who knew the circumstances of Sylvester’s leg injury have all testified that he was injured whilst playing football.

    “Whilst he was in school, Sylvester had no visible injury to his lips or face. Sylvester’s family has admitted that Sylvester’s swollen, blistered and bloody lips (as shown in videos and pictures, now viral on the internet) were reactions to medications given to Sylvester after he had been taken from the school by his parents.

    “We feel and can relate to the pains of the Oromoni family and all those genuinely concerned about this unfortunate incident. That is why we wish to express our readiness to cooperate with the parents of the deceased, the Police, the Lagos State government and other relevant stakeholders to get to the root of this matter so that the cause of justice will not only be served but manifestly seen to have been served.

    “However, it is regrettable that of the five names that were mentioned in relation to the incident, it is only Kashamu’s name that seems to ring a bell. Consequently, the family and its late patriarch (Senator Buruji Kashamu of blessed memory) have been the butt of irresponsible, falsehood-based and unwarranted attacks even when the full details of the incident are not yet known.

    ”There is no denying the fact that Adewale Michael Kashamu is one of the children of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu. But, no family or parent will send a child to school to be involved in any form of crime or criminality; just like no parent would be happy to be informed that a child he or she sent to school to learn has been molested or killed under any guise.

    ”That is why we wish to appeal for restraint on all sides. The cyber-bullying of our family will not help in any way to solve the bullying in schools that society through the ages has desired to stop.

    ”The larger society should start by setting a higher standard.

    “We reckon that the bereaved family has related the account of the incident as narrated by the deceased.

    “On our part, we have continued to engage our son, Adewale Michael Kashamu, and he has continued to maintain his innocence.

    “Now that the Lagos State government and the Police have waded into the matter, we shall fully cooperate with them so that the truth will be established and the cause of justice served – justice for the deceased and his family, justice for the accused students and their families and justice for the society.

    “At this juncture, we want to encourage the management, parents and pupils of Dowen College (and indeed anyone) who may have useful information about this incident to please volunteer same to the Police and the Lagos State government – in the interest of justice.”

  • Oromoni’s death: We are fully committed to thorough, proper investigation – Dowen College

    Oromoni’s death: We are fully committed to thorough, proper investigation – Dowen College

    The board and management of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State has expressed commitment to a thorough and proper investigation over the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oromoni Jnr is the son of the Chairman of the Environment Task Force in Delta State, Sylvester Oromoni Snr.

    Oromoni Jnr died after a bizzare encounter in Dowen College. The school claimed the boy sustained injuries from a football game that led to his death. But the parents insist Oromoni Jnr was tortured.

    Following the eventual closure by the Lagos State Government, the school has said they are committed to a thorough and proper investigation.

    In a statement released on Saturday, the board and management of Dowen College expressed grief over the death of Oromoni Jnr, describing him as a beacon of light for the school.

    The statement reads: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of one of our beloved students, Sylvester Oromoni Jr.

    “He was dearly loved by his teachers, his fellow students and he was a beacon of light for the school.

    “The tragic and unfortunate incident which transpired this past November, and Sylvester’s untimely death requires a thorough and proper investigation.

    “Dowen College is fully committed to this.

    “We are assisting the authorities to get to the bottom of this heartbreaking incident.

    “The first steps taken by the school, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, has been the immediate closure of the school to aid in the investigation.

    “Understandably, at this time of intense grief and suffering, emotions are raw and tensions are high.

    “We pray that God, who alone knows how to comfort the sorrowing, will comfort Sylvester’s family and all those who love and knew him.

    “We commiserate with the Oromoni family, and the students of Dowen College who have lost a friend and fellow student.

    “This is a traumatic experience.

    “We assure our parents that the school is taking steps to ensure the safety and security of their children and wards.

    “This is paramount.

    “Every child is valued at Dowen College and their health and well-being is of the utmost priority to the school”.

    Meanwhile, the police in Lagos State have sealed off Dowen College, following directives by the Lagos State Government.

  • Dowen College: Lagos Police investigates Sylvester Oromoni’s death

    Dowen College: Lagos Police investigates Sylvester Oromoni’s death

    The Lagos State Police Command on Saturday said investigation into the death of one Sylvester Oromoni of Dowen College, Lekki, is currently ongoing.

    The Lagos Police Command, in a statement issued by CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said that although no formal report had been made to it, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered the investigation of the death.

    “The Lagos State Police Command is not unaware of the reported death of one Sylvester Oromoni, a 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, which is currently going viral on the social media.

    “The Commissioner of Police, upon hearing about it, instantly directed the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division, under whose jurisdiction the place of incident is, to immediately visit the school to carry out initial investigation into the incident.

    “This directive has been carried out as investigation into the case has since commenced.

    “However, in view of the seriousness of the case, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, has also been directed to take over investigation of the case immediately.” he said.

    Ajisebutu, in the statement, further said that members of the public should avoid taking laws into their hands as the command has assured the bereaved family of justice.

    “Members of the public, particularly the deceased’s bereaved parents, friends and relatives, are assured that the Lagos State Police Command has deployed all available human and material resources at its disposal to unravel the circumstances surrounding the sad and unfortunate incident.

    “While diligent investigation is ongoing, members of the public are advised against taking the law into their own hands. They are also enjoined to refrain from comments that could jeopardize investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, while commiserating with the bereaved family, has equally assured that the outcome of police investigation would be made public in due course,” he said.

    Oromoni, was reported dead on Wednesday, Dec. 1 by a Twitter user, @perrisonoromoni who claimed to be the deceased’s cousin.

    According to @perrisonoromoni, the deceased was bullied and beaten by fellow students which led to his death.
    However, Dowen College, in a statement, denied all allegations, stating that Oromoni only complained of body pains from playing football.

    Dowen College also directed students to take Friday, Dec. 3 off, and resume on Monday, Dec. 6 following the incident and to also enable the students study for exams.

    @perrisonoromoni subsequently put out photos and video evidence, which showed the bruises on the deceased’s body.

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education, however, on Friday, Dec. 3, announced the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki, pending the outcome of investigation into the boy’s death.

  • Dowen College: Omo-Agege tasks security agencies to fish out killers of Oronomi

    Dowen College: Omo-Agege tasks security agencies to fish out killers of Oronomi

    Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has tasked security agencies to fish out killers of Sylvester Oronomi Junior, a student of Dowen College, Lagos.

    The 12-year-old, who hailed from Delta State, was alleged to have been attacked by some of his senior colleagues for refusing to join a cult group.

    While sharing in the grief of the family, the Deputy President of the Senate noted that the pain of losing a child will always linger in the mind of every parent.

    The Delta Central lawmaker tasked security agencies to get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.

    He also commended the Lagos State Government for closing the school indefinitely. This, he noted, would allow thorough investigation. He tasked them to leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the matter.

    “Closure of the school will help children who are back home to share their experiences with their parents and guardians. They are in the safety of their homes where they fear no immediate reprisals of the revelations.

    “The incident is one too many, as it reminds us of how children in schools are subjected to dehumanising treatments, with some losing their lives in the process.

    “My profound condolences to the Oromoni family and it is my prayer that God will give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

  • Investigation: How Dowen College asked Oromoni’s parents to take him away after torture

    Investigation: How Dowen College asked Oromoni’s parents to take him away after torture

    Preliminary investigations have revealed how Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos State asked the parents of late Sylvester Oromoni to take their child away for further care after he was beaten to a pulp and left for dead.

    According to the preliminary investigations, Oromoni, who has been confirmed as a student of Dowen College, was granted treatment by the school’s medical personnel before the school requested that the parents take him away for further care.

    TNG reports Oromoni was reportedly beaten to a pulp and left for dead by students of Dowen College suspected to be cultists. The supposed injuries from the beating led to his death, according to a Twitter user with the handle @perrisonoromoni, who claimed to be the boy’s cousin.

    However, in a statement on Wednesday, the school denied all allegations, stating that Oromoni was neither bullied nor beaten but only complained of hip pain after playing football.

    The child’s father, who bears the same name as the student, stated that contrary to what Dowen College had said in the statement, the family friend who they sent to pick up Oromoni Jnr. from the school described a totally different situation.

    Speaking on the incident, the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, who made scanty details of the preliminary investigations known on Friday, in a statement, described the incident as very shocking.

    In the statement, the Lagos State Government commiserated with the parents of Oromoni (Jnr), 12-year-old, with Adefisayo stating that the State was indeed sad about the loss of the promising youth.

    She stated that a delegation of top-level management staff of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the Police, has visited the school on a fact-finding mission.

    According to her, preliminary investigations revealed that the late Oromoni was indeed enrolled as a student of Dowen College in its boarding facility and had been treated by the school’s medical personnel before the school requested that the parents take him away for further care.

    “The State Government is in touch with the parents at this difficult time. We reassure the family of the late Sylvester Oromoni and Lagosians at large that efforts are being made to unravel the circumstances leading to his demise, even as we reiterate the government’s commitment to Child Protection and Safety in the State”, the Commissioner said.

    Earlier, father of the deceased Dowen College student, who bears the same name, had opened up on some of the atrocities his son went through in the school.

    In an interview with The Cable, Oromoni Snr, who is the Chairman of Delta State Environment Task Force, said that his son was subjected to severe bullying, revealing that the boys who allegedly bullied Oromoni Jnr had been reported to the school management the previous term.

    He said, “My son suffered. His birthday is next tomorrow (Dec 4). I’ll celebrate it. I’ll have a cake baked. I’ll cut it on his behalf. The boys they mentioned were also reported to the school last term when they bullied Junior and collected all his foodstuffs; clothes. I have two daughters, one of whom earlier graduated. I had to remove the second after this incident. They asked this boy to describe the sister’s privates and this got to us.”

    The boy’s father also said that Oromoni Jnr had been issued death threats if he ever revealed what happens to him in school.

    He also stated that contrary to what Dowen College had said in a statement addressing the sad incident, the family friend who they sent to pick up Oromoni Jnr from the school described a totally different situation.

    “They put fear in him so much so that, when you ask him, he might keep to himself and say, ‘they will kill me’. This way, we didn’t know what to do. I considered removing him, reconsidered since his sisters were still in the school,” Oromoni Snr said

    “The new incident came to my knowledge on November 21st after the school called my wife to notify us that our son was in the school clinic, injured. My senior son, who was to make a London trip, came to see us in Warri.

    “The next day, we sent a family friend to help pick up our son since he was the only person in Lagos and take him to the hospital. When he got there, he panicked, pointing out that he doubts it’s a football injury as the school claimed. He said the boy couldn’t stand because his waist was bent and swollen along with one side of his belly. His mouth was black. I asked, ‘is this really a football injury?’ He was taken to my house in Lagos but couldn’t sleep at night.

    “I asked my eldest to fly to Lagos on November 24 while I took a trip to Asaba, from where I’d also make for Lagos. On getting there, he screamed. ‘This is beyond football injury. Come to Lagos now,’ he told me over the phone.”

    In the meantime, Dowen College, in an email sent to parents early Friday morning, noted that students should not come to school on Friday, 3rd December and Monday, 6th December because of the incident.

    Also, the Lagos State Government has ordered the indefinite closure of Dowen College pending the full outcome of the investigation.

    Adefisayo announced the closure after a meeting with the School’s Management and Staff on Friday.

    Mrs. Adefisayo, however, called for calm among the stakeholders, stressing that no effort will be spared in getting to the root of the incident.

  • Lagos Govt orders indefinite closure of Dowen College

    Lagos Govt orders indefinite closure of Dowen College

    The Lagos State Government has ordered the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki, pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a student of the school.

    Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo announced the closure after a meeting with the School Management and Staff.

    The Commissioner called for calm, saying no effort will be spared in getting to the root of the incident.

    Meanwhile, the father of the deceased, who bears the same name, has opened up on some of the atrocities his son went through in the school.

    In an interview with The Cable, Oromoni Snr said that his son was subjected to severe bullying, revealing that the boys who allegedly bullied Oromoni Jnr had been reported to the school management the previous term.

    He said, “My son suffered. His birthday is next tomorrow (Dec 4). I’ll celebrate it. I’ll have a cake baked. I’ll cut it on his behalf. The boys they mentioned were also reported to the school last term when they bullied Junior and collected all his foodstuffs; clothes.

    “I have two daughters, one of whom earlier graduated. I had to remove the second after this incident. They asked this boy to describe the sister’s privates and this got to us.”

    The boy’s father also said that Oromoni Jnr had been issued death threats if he ever revealed what happened to him in school.

    He also stated that contrary to what Dowen College had said in a statement addressing the sad incident, the family friend who they sent to pick up Oromoni Jnr from the school described a totally different situation.

    “They put fear in him so much so that, when you ask him, he might keep to himself and say, ‘they will kill me’. This way, we didn’t know what to do. I considered removing him, reconsidered since his sisters were still in the school,” Oromoni Snr said

    “The new incident came to my knowledge on November 21st after the school called my wife to notify us that our son was in the school clinic, injured. My senior son, who was to make a London trip, came to see us in Warri.

    “The next day, we sent a family friend to help pick up our son since he was the only person in Lagos and take him to the hospital. When he got there, he panicked, pointing out that he doubts it’s a football injury as the school claimed.

    “He said the boy couldn’t stand because his waist was bent and swollen along with one side of his belly. His mouth was black. I asked, ‘is this really a football injury?’ He was taken to my house in Lagos but couldn’t sleep at night.

    “I asked my eldest to fly to Lagos on November 24 while I took a trip to Asaba, from where I’d also make for Lagos. On getting there, he screamed. ‘This is beyond football injury. Come to Lagos now,’ he told me over the phone.”

    In the meantime, Dowen College, in an email sent to parents early Friday morning, noted that students should not come to school on Friday, 3rd December and Monday, 6th December because of the incident.

  • Dowen College: They told my son to describe his sister’s private part- Late Sylvester Oromoni’s father declares

    Dowen College: They told my son to describe his sister’s private part- Late Sylvester Oromoni’s father declares

    Father of the deceased Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, who bears the same name, has opened up on some of the atrocities his son went through in the school.

    In an interview with The Cable, Oromoni Snr said that his son was subjected to severe bullying, revealing that the boys who allegedly bullied Oromoni Jnr had been reported to the school management the previous term.

    He said, “My son suffered. His birthday is next tomorrow (Dec 4). I’ll celebrate it. I’ll have a cake baked. I’ll cut it on his behalf. The boys they mentioned were also reported to the school last term when they bullied Junior and collected all his foodstuffs; clothes. I have two daughters, one of whom earlier graduated. I had to remove the second after this incident. They asked this boy to describe the sister’s privates and this got to us.”

    The boy’s father also said that Oromoni Jnr had been issued death threats if he ever revealed what happens to him in school.

    He also stated that contrary to what Dowen College had said in a statement addressing the sad incident, the family friend who they sent to pick up Oromoni Jnr from the school described a totally different situation.

    “They put fear in him so much so that, when you ask him, he might keep to himself and say, ‘they will kill me’. This way, we didn’t know what to do. I considered removing him, reconsidered since his sisters were still in the school,” Oromoni Snr said

    “The new incident came to my knowledge on November 21st after the school called my wife to notify us that our son was in the school clinic, injured. My senior son, who was to make a London trip, came to see us in Warri.

    “The next day, we sent a family friend to help pick up our son since he was the only person in Lagos and take him to the hospital. When he got there, he panicked, pointing out that he doubts it’s a football injury as the school claimed. He said the boy couldn’t stand because his waist was bent and swollen along with one side of his belly. His mouth was black. I asked, ‘is this really a football injury?’ He was taken to my house in Lagos but couldn’t sleep at night.

    “I asked my eldest to fly to Lagos on November 24 while I took a trip to Asaba, from where I’d also make for Lagos. On getting there, he screamed. ‘This is beyond football injury. Come to Lagos now,’ he told me over the phone.”

    In the meantime, Dowen College, in an email sent to parents early Friday morning, noted that students should not come to school on Friday, 3rd December and Monday, 6th December because of the incident.